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Colour Matters – A Panel Discussion
12th May 2023 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The Panel – Anita Quye, Claire Wellesley-Smith, Andrew Filarowski, Debbie Tomkies. The Host – Debbie Bamford
About Debbie Bamford
Following almost 30 years of research, experimentation and practical experience, Debbie has been awarded Associate of the Society of Dyers and Colourists for her Natural Dye work and is recognised across Europe for her depth of knowledge.
She established her brand The Mulberry Dyer in the mid 1990’s receiving a ‘Green Achiever’ award for her practices, and is keen to maintain and encourage bioregional regenerative textile systems.
As a consultant to Industry, she has spearheaded research into natural dye application for carpets and high end knitwear. Debbie is currently a Post Graduate Researcher at the University of Leeds, studying the environmental impacts of natural dyes and mordants including the relation to fastness of colours.
Examples of her work can be seen in the V & A Museum, Hampton Court Palace, the Globe Theatre and other prestigious heritage venues.
About Dr Claire Wellesley-Smith
Claire is an artist, writer and researcher based in Bradford. Her projects are situated within arts, heritage and community wellbeing. The ability of textile to transform and connect over time informs her studio, community and research practices. She has devised and worked on several projects that engage with archive and growing practices connected to the textile dyeing industry.
About Anita Quye
Anita is Professor of Heritage Science in History of Art and the Kelvin Centre for Conservation and Cultural Heritage Research at the University of Glasgow – where she specialises in dyed historical textiles. Her research and teaching involve material chemistry, scientific analysis and art history as well as collaborations with museums and archives to study and preserve their collections.
Industrial dyeing methods and textile samples in dyers’ books are a particular interest for Anita, and she led the research of the eighteenth century Crutchley Archive in Southwark Archives, London which resulted in it being added to the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register in 2020. Anita is a chemist and a forensic scientist by training and was an analytical research scientist at National Museums Scotland before joining the University of Glasgow.
About Debbie Tomkies
Debbie is a passionate textile artist and designer. She has over 30 years’ experience as a dyer, writer, designer and tutor. She studied Textiles at UCA, has a postgraduate qualification as an Arts for Health practitioner and teaching in the lifelong learning sector.
Debbie has been a tutor for over 14 years and teaches textile arts workshops around the UK. With five books and over 100 published articles and designs, Debbie has been featured in many international publications. Debbie is also a director of Making Futures CIC, a non-profit organisation working with community groups to provide health and wellbeing through the creative arts and Flourish Together CIC, providing mentoring for women starting creative social enterprises.
About Andrew Filarowski
In his current role as Technical Director of the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC), Andrew has spoken at international conferences on topics ranging from colour fastness testing to environmental concerns in textile processing and dyestuff manufacture. He has been instrumental in developing courses for the industry in colour management, fastness and dyeing. He has advised and consulted with many of the associations and standards committees involved in raising environmental issues and providing solutions to industry and is a keen supporter of education as a means of providing a cleaner industry tomorrow.
This event is taking place as part of Sunny Bank Mills’ first ‘Threads Textile Festival’ – a weekend celebrating textiles through a series of talks, workshops and a textile market featuring over 40 stallholders per day!
Visit our website for more information > https://www.sunnybankmills.co.uk/arts/gallery/threads-textile-festival-2023/
About the venue
Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture.
Terms and conditions
Tickets for this event are non-refundable.
If the event is postponed or cancelled for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded.